Genres
Review: Castlecomer – “Danny’s Den”
Castlecomer – Danny’s Den
Released: March 30, 2012
Purchase: iTunes
Forming in late 2010, Castlecomer finally unveiled their debut release on March 30th, 2012 and did not disappoint. Armed with their high-energy shows, combined with their flawless five part harmonies, Castlecomer are one of the most exciting indie bands that Australia has to offer.
Castlecomer began their journey as a band by posting videos of both original songs and covers on YouTube including Mumford and Son’s The Cave, and Passion Pit’s Take A Walk. These fantastic videos led to fans around wondering, and near begging them to release an album.
On March 30th Castlecomer finally released their six song EP entitled, Danny’s Den. Tracks include songs that are found on their YouTube channel, as well as songs that have not been heard before. The EP is not what was first expected, as on YouTube all of the songs were played acoustically with a strong focus on the harmonies, however on the album there is a lot more use of electric guitars and drums, but this does not take away from their harmonic melodies. Even though it was different to what I was accustomed to, it was still successful, selling 1,200 hard copies, and 1000 digital copies. These five boys from Sydney are starting to make a name for themselves.
Fans, much like me, are eagerly waiting the next EP to be released, as they have only posted more covers such as Coldplay’s Till Kingdom Come and The Lumineers‘ Ho Hey. But they haven’t released any new material, so no one knows what to expect. Luckily there shouldn’t be a long wait as they have already finished the recording for the second EP, and it is due for release sometime in early 2013. If you enjoy indie folk bands with spot on harmonies, Castlecomer is a band to look out for. Check out their Facebook and YouTube pages!
8.5
Stream: Unknown Mortal Orchestra- II
Their new record II, is available for streaming exclusively through NPR and can be preordered from their website. They begin touring February 2nd, all of their February dates are available below, the dates to the rest of their tour are also available on their website.
Tour Dates:
Feb 02 – Zepp Divercity (Tokyo, Japan)
Feb 06 – Trix Club (Antwerp, Belgium)
Feb 07 – Paradiso (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
Feb 08 – Prince Charles (Berlin, Germany)
Feb 13 – Great American Music Hall (San Francisco, CA)
Feb 14 – Constellation Room (Santa Ana, CA)
Feb 15 – Echoplex (Los Angeles, CA)
Feb 16 – Beauty Bar (Las Vegas, NV)
Feb 18 – Lowbrow Palace (El Paso, TX)
Feb 19 – The Korova (San Antonio, TX)
Feb 20 – The Mohawk (Austin, TX)
Feb 21 – Fitzgerald’s (Houston, TX)
Feb 22 – One Eyed Jacks (New Orleans, LA)
Feb 23 – 529 (Atlanta, GA)
Feb 27 – Rock & Roll Hotel (Washington, DC)
Feb 28 – Bowery Ballroom (New York, NY)
Mar 01 – First Unitarian Church (Phildelphia, PA)
Listen: The Strokes – “One Way Trigger”
Listen: Pill Friends – “Forgetting You”
Next week Pill Friends will release their EP Murder Me For My Sins. Pill Friends is a three piece lo-fi band out of Philadelphia, incorporating cello, drums and guitar. While their number of releases are limited, their style varies greatly from song to song. They recently released Forgetting You, one of the featured tracks on the new EP. The track has a very ambient feel to it, which is a completely different direction compared to songs like Bummertime and Pillspillspills. Despite lack of a completeness factor to each release, Pill Friends are admirably something different to add to your music library. The punk/lo-fi feeling is energizing and catchy. Stream or download Forgetting You below and be sure to check out the full EP sometime next week and download their previous EP for free on their Bandcamp.
Listen: Camper Van Beethoven – “Someday Our Love Will Sell Us Out”
The Story So Far To Release New Album
You can check out the track listing below.
Review: Ben Howard – “The Burgh Island EP”
Released: October 31, 2012
Label: Island Records
Purchase: iTunes | Amazon
After his sensational debut album Every Kingdom, Ben Howard’s newest release The Burgh Island EP has not disappointed. Though fans have come accustomed to the smooth, acoustic, folk songs experienced in the album, The Burgh Island EP demonstrates a darker side to his songs, highlighted by the use of the electric guitar rather than his usual acoustic self. Yet the gritty, and albeit, gloomy sounds does not take away from the emotion and soul that is put into the lyrics and songs themselves. The songs were all inspired by his memories from surfing the beaches of Burgh Island, which leads to question, why create a darker tone for the songs?
Though fans and listeners would agree that the sound of this EP is completely different, it does not mean it’s a bad change. The opening track “Esmerelda” begins with eerie sounds, which grow more powerful as the song progresses through the beats, perfectly complemented by the rasp in his voice. The second track “Oats In The Water” on the other hand uses the electric guitar differently by creating a more bluesy electric sound, thus producing a more calming and memorable vocal melody. My personal favorite track of this album is the final one appropriately titled “Burgh Island”. This track most resembles the style of songs portrayed in the album Every Kingdom. Much like Ben Howard’s popular track, “Black Flies” it’s a mostly calm song throughout, but has a powerful punch in the middle and near the end. Though it is not as catchy, it will definitely be a favorite to those fans of Every Kingdom.
This album also excites me as it demonstrates that Ben Howard doesn’t have just one style, but illustrates that he has a variety of styles, leaving fans wondering, what will he do next? For those following Ben Howard, he will be touring in New York, New Jersey and Virginia, for a week beginning February 11th with another of my personal favorite bands Mumford and Sons.
8.0
Standout Tracks: “Esmerelda” “Burgh Island”
Track listing:
1. Esmerelda
2. Oats in the Water
3. To Be Alone
4. Burgh Island (feat. Monica Heldel)
Review: Beach Fossils – Clash The Truth
Beach Fossils – Clash The Truth
Released: February 19, 2013
Label: Captured Tracks
Beach Fossils sophomore record Clash The Truth is set to be released on February 19, 2013. Following their self titled release in 2010, Beach Fossils became well known for their catchy Jingle Jangle styled guitar riffs in songs like “Sometimes” as well as their electrifying stage presence. After several members moved on to side projects, Dustin Payseur began writing Clash The Truth “determined to capture the urgency, human flow and spontaneity of the live performance.” This goal for the record has shown to be a trouble for many bedroom recording styled bands. Many lo-fi bands have spectacular albums, but the dreamy and somber melodies don’t always translate to a live show. Yet with this presence of urgency, Clash The Truth doesn’t lack in energy throughout every track. The excitement in the tracks give off a punk rock experience with a shoe-gaze styling.
The progression of Beach Fossils sound in Clash The Truth is near perfect, they translated the lo-fi bedroom recording style to a well tuned studio project. I initially had some fear that their highly praised vibes would lose their originality, yet the album beautifully captures Dustin’s vision. Clash The Truth is much more instrumentally complex than the records before; with each track standing out more individually, yet still creating one complete record. This is most prevalent in songs like “Sleep Apnea” that bring in a more acoustic presence whereas “Caustic Cross” has more energy and power in the guitar. Another great addition to the album is the development of the drums. The drums are much more established in the album, “the drums were recorded live in a room with Dustin on bass to give the album a driving and energetic force.” In previous records the drums have a presence but appeared to be very simple, I never found myself mesmerized by the beat.
While this album is one of my favorites, and well deserving of a listen, there are some weaker points to the album. Oddly enough, I felt the title track along with the previously released track “Shallow” didn’t live up to the rest of the album. When Shallow was first released a year ago, it wasn’t as enchanting as songs like “What A Pleasure”. It generated no anticipation or excitement for the rest of the album. The title track is a nice melody that eases into the rapid pace of the album, yet I felt a lack of connection with the song. It has a catchy aspect to it, yet that wasn’t a highlight for me.
Following the release of Clash The Truth, Beach Fossils will begin touring through the US and Canada. All of the tour dates can be found on their Facebook Page. The song “Careless” is available for free Stream or Download below.
8.0
Standout Tracks: “Sleep Apnea”, “Crashed Out”, “Generational Synthetic”
Tracklisting:
1. Clash the Truth
2. Generational Synthetic
3. Sleep Apnea
4. Careless
5. Modern Holiday
6. Taking Off
7. Shallow
8. Burn You Down
9. Birthday
10. In Vertigo [ft. Kazu Makino]
11. Brighter
12. Caustic Cross
13. Ascension
14. Crashed Out
Listen: Wil Wagner – “Laika”
After being blown away by Wagner’s lyrics and sound on The Smith Street Band’s latest album Sunshine & Technology, I am excited to hear this collection of new acoustic solo songs. You can order the 12″ vinyl and CD from the Poison City Records Store and listen to two of the tracks below.
Listen: Bring Me The Horizon – “Shadow Moses”
The song definitely draws from the band’s previous works; the best elements of which are prevalent throughout the track. The choir, orchestral element that riddled There Is A Hell Believe Me I’ve Seen It, There Is A Heaven Let’s Keep It A Secret returns. Heavy guitar riffs akin to Suicide Season are also featured. Perhaps the most interesting element is the melodious vocalization that singer Oli Sykes incorporates for the first time, rather successfully in fact. One can definitely feel the band’s maturation and the development of their musical style.
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